Legal standoff at the southern border, North Korea's military advancements, Biden's halting of LNG exports, drone attack and Iran's power, Jihadi successes and regional challenges.
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Quick takeaways
The ongoing legal standoff between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the federal government at the southern border raises concerns about a potential constitutional crisis and highlights the disagreement over immigration policies.
North Korea's recent aggressive actions, including testing strategic cruise missiles and an underwater nuclear drone, pose challenges for the United States in influencing North Korea's calculations due to limited success in curbing its nuclear program and the lack of an effective North Korea policy.
Deep dives
Republican Support for Texas Governor's Standoff at Southern Border
Republicans across the country are rallying behind Texas Governor Greg Abbott's legal standoff with the federal government at the southern border. The Texas National Guard has been using concertina wire as a barrier between the Rio Grande and Shelby Park to prevent federal agents from accessing much of the park. Texas Governor Abbott has publicly challenged a US Supreme Court ruling, declaring Texas under invasion and invoking the state's constitutional right to defend itself. The legal dispute intensifies concerns about a constitutional crisis and highlights the ongoing disagreement between the state and the Biden administration over immigration policies.
North Korea's Aggressive Actions and Growing Nuclear Arsenal
North Korea has recently ramped up its aggressive actions, including testing strategic cruise missiles and an underwater nuclear drone. Kim Jong-un has declared South Korea an enemy state and announced that their nuclear arsenal is no longer just for deterrence. While some analysts believe these actions could escalate tensions and potentially lead to the use of conventional or nuclear weapons against South Korea, others see it as saber-rattling. The United States, however, faces challenges in influencing North Korea's calculations due to limited success in curbing its nuclear program and the lack of an effective North Korea policy.
Biden Administration's Decision to Freeze Approvals for Liquefied Natural Gas Export
Climate activists have declared victory after the Biden administration announced a freeze on new approvals for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). Opponents argue that LNG infrastructure guarantees the use of fossil fuels for decades to come. More than a dozen companies poised to export LNG now face an unknown delay while potential climate impacts are analyzed. Critics of the decision argue that it weakens the Biden administration, reduces economic competition from the United States, and empowers countries like Russia and China, potentially hindering efforts to combat climate change effectively.
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss a potential constitutional crisis in Texas, trouble in North Korea, climate activists knee-capping Biden, and an ununified theory of US appeasement of Iran.
Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters. You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here, and check out more from Tablet here.